Int’l Badminton Classics: Lagos Increases Prize Money To $25,000, As Tourney Begins 18 July

Lagos International Badminton Classics Holds From 18-21 July

Winners in the 4th Lagos International Badminton Classics will go home with more money as the prize money of the championship has been increased from $20,000 to $25,000 in this year’s competition.

The Classics will hold from hold from 18-21 July at the  Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere. The event is sponsored  by the Lagos State Government and organised by the Lagos State Badminton Association with the President of Nigeria Badminton Federation Barrister Francis Orbih serving as the Chairman of Local Organising Committee (LOC).

No fewer than 22 countries had registered to participate in this year’s edition, some of which are Jordan, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Israel, Ivory Coast , Benin Republic, Czech Republic, India, Malaysia and Nigeria, the host country,  while 193 players across the world will be competing, comprise 60 from Nigeria and  133 foreign players.

The price money had been raised from 20,000 dollars to 25,000 dollars  in order to increase more participations and competitiveness during the international Classics.

Orbih said that Sunday, 15 July has been set aside as the arrival date, a badminton umpire course has also been fixed for Monday 16th- Wednesday 18th July at Teslim Balogun Stadium’s Administration Conference Room,  while the tournament proper serves off on Wednesday and ends with an elaborate final ceremony on Saturday.

He said: “Nigeria is going into this tournament with impressive records from some of the top players. Nigeria won the Ivory Coast International Badminton Championships held in Abidjan between 21st and 24th of June with 3 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medals. Nigeria’s Dorcas Adesokan, Afrca’s number one female player, won the Women’s Singles of the event, while the the duo of Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Godwin Olofua won the Men’s Doubles.  Adesokan Dorcas and Clement Krobakpor won the Mixed Doubles.

“Victory at the Ivory Coast International is envisaged to propel Nigeria’s national and African champions to victory at the Ghana  International which gets underway from Friday, 12th to Sunday,  15th July. This event precedes the Lagos International Classics.”

Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Tandoh said the government of Lagos State has made all arrangements to ensure a smooth organisation of the Classics. He disclosed that the host,  Lagos State,  has 12 dependable stars among the players presented by Nigeria for the Lagos International Classics, top among them are Anuoluwapo Opeyori, who is ranked number in Nigeria and Godwin Olofua, Nigeria’s number number 3 player.